Llamas Putting On The Dog

Llamas, those sturdy, docile pack animals from Peru, are gaining stature in the United States as an investment, a business and as pets--and

consequently as show animals.

The first internationally sanctioned llama show in North America will be held in May in La Crosse, Wis. The sanction comes from the recently formed American Llama Show Association, which has developed criteria for accrediting judges and a uniform scoring system for judging llamas.

This means llamas will be able to accumulate points toward becoming national champions, said Sonja Moe, of the Mississippi Valley Llama Association, the La Crosse-based group formed to hold the show.

Llamas will compete by age groups in trail packing, pleasure driving, endurance, showmanship, halter, wool and obstacle classes. Some 200 llamas are expected to be entered in the show, said Moe.

The Llama Extravaganza, as the May 10-11 event has been termed, also will feature a catalogue sale of select, pedigreed llamas. The catalogue also has information on starting a llama packing business, raising llamas as pets or 4- H projects, training llamas and the health and care of llamas.

Llamas have become the vogue for pack animals in the United States. They are used now in several national forests, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in place of horses because their padded feet do not damage trails the way horses` hooves do.

As pets, llamas are people-loving, curious friends who express their contentment through humming. They require little shelter, even in extreme weather, and are easy to keep contained. As for the animals` notoriety for spitting, Moe said they rarely expectorate, and only when pushed. Usually, spitting is done by female llamas to fend off a male`s advances, she said.

Larger llamas can be ridden. They are good for pulling carts. Some sheep ranchers use them in the place of dogs to guard flocks, said Moe. Llamas are quick to sense danger and will attack if their young are threatened, she said. The animals also have a useful by-product: their highly prized premium wool, which sells for $2 an ounce. They don`t take kindly to being sheared, however. The best way to gain the wool is through combing, said Moe.

Llamas also have value in death. Their pelts make good fur coats.

The animals` value, plus their scarcity in the United States, means they are not inexpensive. There are an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 in the United States. Some are considered an investment, Moe said. Breeding females range in price from $10,000 to $20,000. However, a young gelded male can be purchased as a pet for about $1,000.